This State Is Seeing The Greatest Influx
Americans continue relocating to the South in large numbers, with new IRS migration data showing South Carolina growing faster than any other state on a per-capita basis while Texas and Florida remain the biggest overall magnets for new residents.
The numbers reflect an ongoing population shift that has been reshaping the country for years, as families, retirees, and workers leave high-cost states in favor of lower taxes, cheaper housing, expanding job markets, and a generally lower cost of living.
South Carolina posted the strongest growth relative to its population size. Between 2022 and 2023, the state gained more than 59,000 new residents from other parts of the country, according to the latest IRS data. For a state of its size, that amounts to just over 1% population growth from domestic migration alone — meaning roughly one new resident arrived for every 100 people already living there.
The migration wave is also bringing significant economic gains.
South Carolina added more than 29,000 new tax filers and roughly $4.1 billion in additional income as newcomers brought jobs, investment, retirement savings, and consumer spending into the state. The inflow is expected to strengthen local economies while helping employers fill positions in industries ranging from manufacturing to construction and tourism.
While South Carolina led in growth rate, Texas and Florida continued dominating in total numbers because of their much larger populations.
Texas added 56,473 new tax filers in 2023, the highest total in the country. Florida followed closely behind with 55,349. Both states have spent years attracting businesses and residents with lower taxes, lighter regulations, and rapidly expanding economies.
At the same time, some of the country’s largest Democrat-led states continued suffering major losses.
California lost more than 100,000 tax filers between 2022 and 2023, while New York lost nearly 72,000. The departures are not only reducing population totals but also draining billions of dollars in taxable income.
California saw nearly $12 billion in income leave the state during the period, while New York lost roughly $10 billion. Much of that decline came from higher-income earners relocating to states with lower taxes and lower living costs.
The movement is increasingly becoming more than just a population story. It is also a redistribution of wealth, investment, and economic influence across the country.
States gaining residents are also gaining tax revenue, consumer spending, and labor force growth, while states losing residents face shrinking tax bases and growing concerns about affordability and business competitiveness.
If the migration trends continue at the current pace, they could significantly reshape political representation, housing markets, state economies, and the balance of economic power in the years ahead.